Barbados’ surf sensation Chelsea Tuach is still the third best junior surfer in the world.
Surfing at the Allianz Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) World Junior Surfing Championships at Praia Ribeira d’Ihlas in Ericeira, Portugal, Tuach had to settle for the bronze medal when she lost her semi-final clash with Tessa Thyssen of Guadeloupe on Wednesday.
Tuach had won all of her heats through five rounds of competition, surfing against the best junior female surfers in the world in solid overhead surf.
But she failed to advance to the final by less than one point in a tightly contested semi-final.
“This is another amazing result for me and I feel very blessed to have taken third in the world again this year,” Tuach told WEEKEND SPORT.
“The girls were all surfing really strong. Every heat was like a final and it all came down to who got the better waves,” she added.
The 2013 National Sports Personality Of The Year noted that it wasn’t smooth-sailing for her with the selection of waves in the semi-final.
“I struggled to find the right waves in my semi-final heat and just missed out on advancing. I am disappointed because I wanted to bring home the title to Barbados but it wasn’t meant to be this year,” Tuach said.
She maintained that it was fantastic feat to qualify for the World Juniors, which is only open to the top two female junior surfers from each of the seven ASP regions – Australasia, North America, South America, Europe, Hawaii, Japan and Africa and the top six junior male surfers from each region.
“This is a great accomplishment in itself and is the dream of every competitive, junior surfer. To qualify two years in a row and finish third in the world each time is truly a laudable achievement,” Tuach said.
“This has been another incredible experience. The Portuguese have been great hosts and we have all had a great time here in Portugal. I want to thank my coach Jim Hogan and my sponsors ROXY, Dragon, Dakine, Futures and Surfergirl Suncare for continuing to support me and believe in me,” she added.
Once again, Tuach ended the year as the highest placed North American junior, male or female. (EZS)
